"When will you be back?"

Ayyan's somber voice screamed of sadness.

Safa's heart sank as she adjusted the pillow behind his head and he leaned in to it. It'd been eons since she had come to Islamabad. One day trip back to the village was much needed, both for herself and her students who had been nagging Asmara about her and their friend. So in a way it had become kind of mandatory for her to go and assure them about Ayyan's progress. Not to mention the urge to finally meet and hug her best friend.

"I'm going just for one day. I promise, I'll be back soon!"

She pecked his ashen cheek.

"Double promise?"

He pouted, his button nose flaring.

"Double promise, my love!"

She grinned as she pinched his nose.

Getting up she had just turned around, when his strong fist held her finger in its cocoon. She turned around and her eyes dilated on his marred face cascaded with stream of tears coming in full force.

"Ya Allah, Ayyan! What happened?"

Her breaths hitched as they lodged into her throat and her heartbeat could be heard from miles away.

"I'm gonna miss you!"

He rubbed his eyes with the back of his small fists.

What was going on? Why was he behaving this way? Even when Safa was on the verge of breaking down when she came to know about his condition, he was the one who told her to be strong. Then, what changed now? Now, when he was getting better?

"Now now, if you're gonna act like that, I won't go."

She rubbed his back as she consoled him.

"No. You should go." He drawled as he pulled away. "It's just that I'm really thankful for everything you're doing for me."

She peered at him with calculating gaze as she held his face with both her hands.

"You don't have to thank me for anything, okay?"

He nodded and she dropped a fleeting kiss on his forehead.

After spending half of her day with him when she walked out of that door, her heart thudded brutally against her chest. She felt weak on her knees. Not being able to fathom what it was, she shrugged the thoughts off. It was nothing. Probably.

******

Propped on the couch, Arham surfed through his phone as he waited for Asmara. He was here to collect some important papers about the school building that Azlan had asked Asmara to keep safe before going back.

As the flavor of the chewing gum wore off, he stood up to spit it in the bin. Walking inside the kitchen, he put his foot on the dustbin stand and as the lid flicked open, his eyes stung at the sight of the garlands lying there. Still fresh. Anger and hurt occupied him as his jaws hardened.

"I'm so sorry it took me so long. I could not find the key to the safe."

Her voice brought him out of his sudden surge of emotions and he walked out of the kitchen island.

"Here."

Extending the file towards him, she smiled meekly which vanished in no time on not being reciprocated.

"Thank you!"

His face was transparent. No emotion whatsoever. So unArhamish!

"Oh, so I see, you're still wearing that."

He pointed towards the necklace Safa had gifted her, dangling against the column of her neck.

"Yeah, so?"

Taking one glance at the necklace, she craned her head towards him with a calculating gaze.

"No, actually, I thought you're supposed to throw your gifts away in the garbage."

No contempt. Nothing. His statement was devoid of any jibe as if he actually didn't care.

"Anyways, see you around!"

With that he stormed out, leaving her shaken with guilt.

******

******

"When I've told you I can go by myself, then, what the hell is the matter with you?"

Rage reeked from her entire body as she yelled at Azlan who was pretty sure that hadn't it been for his family, the entire colony would have gotten to witness Safa's colorful vocabulary. He narrowed his eyes.

"Look, trust me, it's not safe to go in a cab all alone. That too for so many hours."

She just rolled her eyes in response.

"Umm... excuse me. I'm right here!"

The cab driver waved from inside on such a heartwarming remark for him.

"Yeah, you can go!"

Azlan bent down on the window pane, facing the driver. He turned the engine on but stopped yet again on Safa's yelp.

"NO! Stay right here!"

She seethed, shooting daggers with her eyes. Azlan heaved a desperate sigh.

"Look, when I say you can't trust men in this country, believe me, I'm not wrong!"

Oh, who could know that better than her? It was almost funny yet so agonizing.

"Well hellooooo?" The cab driver threw his hands up in sir. "I mean am I like invisible or something?" He scowled.

"Is my voice not hearable for you?" Azlan deadpanned. "Shoo away, man!"

The driver looked at Safa who just shrugged, stealing her gaze away. God, she hated it whenever that Lucifer would be right which was basically all the time.

"You really need to control your woman, sir!"

He reprimanded and to say Safa's eyes bogged out of her sockets would be an understatement.

"Oh, yes you better go the fuck away, you son of a dog!"

She launched forward at him but Azlan was quick to hold her back. Swatting his hands away, she tried attacking again but before she could do it, the car flew out of sight.

"Why the hell did you stop me? Didn't you hear what that excrement said?" She fumed up. "Control your woman! Huh!" Folding her arms on her chest, she looked away in disdain.

"That's the only problem you found in that statement?"

He was visibly startled, his voice having a squeaky edge to it.

"Yeah, about that woman part..." She spun her head in his direction as she pointed her finger at him. "It's all because of you! Try acting mature next time!"

Shooting a look of disapproval his way, she stomped towards his car while he stood there, contemplating on who was being mature and who immature.

"Now, come'n man! Or do I have to give you an invitation?"

She yelled from where she was standing by the car. Jerking the thoughts off from his head, he nodded and strolled towards the car. His long ride back to village wasn't going to be easy with this crazy woman.

******